Host your own VE Day Garden party

On 8th May this year it will be exactly 75 years since the Second World War in Europe ended. Many plans were made to celebrate this important anniversary but most have been cancelled as we all stay at home to save lives and protect our NHS.

However, there is still lots we can learn from VE Day 75 years ago. In our museum, we tell the story of Northern Ireland during the Second World War, so we have lots of information about VE Day. We would like to share these stories with you and encourage you to mark this special anniversary in your own way, with your families at home.

Try some of our VE Day activities

VE Day 75 Craft Challenges

We have been working with a few friends of the museum to create online Craft Challenges for all ages to enjoy in time for the 75th anniversary of VE Day on 8th May 2020. 🎨

In our first tutorial, local artist, Hannah Ferguson and her son Ralphie show you how to create a Dig for Victory poster using odds and ends from their recycling bin, crayons and some paint.🖍

In our second tutorial, Kelsey from Squiggles and Giggles shows you how to make a VE Day Party Hat using odds and ends from your recycling bin and some paint. We hope you’ve been saving your egg boxes and toilet roll/ kitchen roll tubes!

In our third VE Day 75 Craft Challenge, local artist, Hannah Ferguson and her son Ralphie make a VE Day bunting inspired planter using Ralphie’s old t-shirt, a tin, a potato and some paint.

VE Day Sing for Victory for kids

This Belfast Telegraph photograph shows a children’s party marching along Royal Avenue in Belfast on VE Day 75 years ago.

(c) Belfast Telegraph- A Children’s party marching along Royal Avenue on VE Day 1945

Music was an important part of the celebrations and playing a musical instrument was popular at the time. We have had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing people who attended VE Day celebrations. Robin sat in the back of a jeep playing a trumpet as the jeep was driven around Belfast City Hall. In Lisburn Square, Jim won a Lambeg Drumming competition and Harry marched around Portglenone playing his accordion until 3am in the morning!

Music and singing continue to be used to celebrate and remain positive.

We have put together a VE Day Sing for Victory sing-along for kids and an accompanying songbook which we hope children will enjoy tomorrow as they remember #VEDay75 from the safety of their homes.